International Association of Certified Home Inspectors|
#1
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Today, I inspection a whirlpool tub. Nothing wrong. I open the drain. Twenty minutes later, I found the whirlpool tub had not drained. The sound of draining water could be heard. The tub was not draining. Do you think this a venting problem or drainage problem, or both. What would cause this? The tub did drain some, but stopped.
Thanks! Mid America Property Inspections, Inc. Shawnee, KS 66217 www.mapii.com NACHI # 05110992 KHIRB # 0110-0008 KS-Radon Cert.# KS-MS-0035 KS-Termite Cert. # 18933 M0-Termite Cert. # N 5033 |
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#2
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Does it matter from an inspection perspective? Just state that the tub is not draining properly. Leave the specific diagnosis and repair to the plumber.
BTW: Bad vent will often result in very noisy drain and may cause siphoning from adjacent fixtures, but then so can a partially clogged waste line. Why guess at the cause? Chuck Evans (TREC #7657) Level III Infraspection Institute Certified Infrared Thermographer (#8402) HomeCert Houston Home Inspections & Thermal Inspections Find us on Facebook Houston Thermal Inspections & Infrared Imaging Find us on Facebook Houston Home Inspector Houston, TX |
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#3
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Was it new construction?
Robert Newland Tyrone, GA 30290 NACHI05101290 http://www.CertifiedHI.com http://www.HomeInspectorTyroneGa.com Home Inspection Reports Powered by: HomeGauge eServices |
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#4
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I'm with Chuck. There are many variables that could cause the tub not to drain or drain properly that, often, won't be known until it is repaired.
InterNachi Awards Portal: http://co.nachi.org/inachiawards/ ____________________________________________ "An Education, not just an Inspection" Larry Kage, CMI Lake Ann (Traverse City), Michigan 49650 231 929 3525 Professional Inspector serving the Traverse City, Michigan area and beyond.
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#5
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These guys are exactly right! STOP trying to troubleshoot problems! This is how HI get their behinds in a vice, overstating what the cause is. If something does not work properly and using normal operating controls, you have identified an issue that requires the services of another profession.
In some cases and areas of the country you can get hung out to dry for going beyond what your license allows and step over into another profession's area of license. If it is working normally, move on, if it not, identify the problem, then move on. We need to keep hammering this home until everyone gets it. We are inspectors, not troubleshooters or servicemen. This is why so much of the public has misconceptions about what a home inspection is and what it entails. I am trained and certified in HVAC but I do not even carry a set of gauges on my truck. If it does not work using the normal controls at the thermostat, I call for service by a licensed HVAC contractor. If the customer asks me what is wrong, I tell them it is not responding to normal operating controls and that it could be a myriad of reasons why it isn't working and that they will need the services of a licensed HVAC contractor. NOT their cousin Willard who is "in construction" or their nephew who is a duct monkey working a summer job for a local HVAC dealer. In this case, call a plumber, slow drain, not draining properly, take your pick. "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing is worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill Last edited by dedwards; 10/3/09 at 4:56 PM.. |
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#6
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Thanks! Gosh! I just wanted to know for myself. I had already done all the other. Sometimes it good to learn something new.
Mid America Property Inspections, Inc. Shawnee, KS 66217 www.mapii.com NACHI # 05110992 KHIRB # 0110-0008 KS-Radon Cert.# KS-MS-0035 KS-Termite Cert. # 18933 M0-Termite Cert. # N 5033 |
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#7
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Buck -
If a home inspector is CURIOUS, he should ask to be there when the repair guru is called out. But there could be multiple problems and what made this happen this time will likely not be the reason next time. Therefore as the others have already tactlessly and thoughtlessly said: "Who Gives A *****". Describe your observations and the condition; make a recommendation to ..........................................., then move on and get done sooner. You'll have less wrinkles, less stress, and get to happy hour at Bazooka's Exotic Showgirls Lounge earlier in the afternoon. |
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#8
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Please Note:
rbrady is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
The drain cap/top may have a loose washer/seal. The cap/top may also be mal-adjusted. I would have spent up to 5 minutes to see if it might be something very simple, instead of having a plumber come out to make a simple adjustment.
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#9
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Please Note:
Jeff Rema is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Although the report should only state the problem, it is beneficial for the inspector to at least have an idea if the client is present and asks. In this case, there are several conditions that would cause this problem and that is what should be states, problems such as "a clog, inadequate/improper venting, undersized pipe, etc". This will give the client some confidence in your ability.
We should not be diagnosing problems but should be familiar with them so asking a question on a forum should not be scrutinized. |
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